Khokan Chandra Das, a middle-aged Hindu businessman who ran a pharmacy in Keurbhanga Bazar in Bangladesh’s Shariatpur district, died on Saturday morning while being treated for burns at the National Institute of Burns in Dhaka. Das was allegedly attacked by a mob on New Year’s Eve.
“Khokon Das, who was injured in a fire attack in Damudya Upazila of Shariatpur, died this morning at 7:20 am at the National Burn Institute, Bangladesh,” informed ANI over phone Dr. Shaon Bin Rahman, National Burn Institute Professor.
Hospital sources said Das died after nearly three days of treatment. Doctors said roughly 30 percent of his body suffered burns, including severe injuries to his face and respiratory system. Officials added that formalities are underway to return his body to his village home.
Khokon Das’s nephew, Pranto Das, told ANI that the family is demanding a thorough investigation and justice for the killing. He stressed that none of those responsible should escape accountability and insisted that all identified suspects be immediately arrested.
Holding their child in her arms, his wife Seema Das broke down and narrated how Das was captured by miscreants as he was about to enter their house and then attacked.
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“My husband, who is a businessman, was entering the house when he was attacked by mafia gasoline and set on fire. He is a patient man who leads a peaceful life. He does not treat anyone and we are unable to understand the motive of the attack,” she said.
Death of Khokan Chandra Das: What Happened?
Das suffered fatal injuries in the brutal attack on New Year’s Day. According to local daily Prothom Alo, the incident took place around 9.30 pm near Keurbhanga Bazar in Koneshwar Union of Damudya when Das was heading home after closing his shop.
The attackers allegedly attacked him with sharp weapons, doused him with gasoline and then set him on fire. Desperate to escape, Das jumped into a nearby roadside pond. His screams alarmed the locals and forced the assailants to flee the scene.
Local residents rescued Das and rushed him to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital where he was given first aid. As his condition worsened, he was referred to Dhaka later that evening, Prothom Alo reported.
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Nazrul Islam, a doctor at the emergency department at Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, said Das suffered injuries on several parts of his body, including a serious injury to his abdomen, along with burns on his face, back of his head and hands.
Police sources from Damudya police station said that Das was a resident of Tiloi village in Koneshwar Union and also operated a mobile banking service at Keurbhanga bazaar. They added that the attackers had stopped the autorickshaw he was traveling in on the Damudya–Shariatpur road before launching the attack.
Mohammad Rabiul Haque, senior officer of Damudya police station, said two suspects have been identified. “After receiving information about a terrorist attack on a shopkeeper in Keurbhanga Bazar, we went to the spot. The names of the two attackers have been identified. They are local residents Rabbi and Sohag. Efforts are on to arrest them. We are also trying to identify others who might be involved in the incident,” Prothom quoted Alo Haque as saying.
The incident comes amid growing concern over violence against members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Last month, Dipu Chandra Das, a garment factory worker in Mymensingh district, was beaten to death by a mob for alleged blasphemy, while another Hindu youth, Amrit Mondal, was lynched in Rajbari district on charges of extortion.
Key things
- Khokan Chandra Das, a middle-aged Hindu businessman who ran a pharmacy in Keurbhanga Bazar in Bangladesh’s Shariatpur district, died on Saturday morning.
- Das suffered fatal injuries in the brutal attack on New Year’s Day
